Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board has supported the RSPB at Frampton Marsh by providing temporary pumping equipment to help prepare key wetland habitats ahead of the spring breeding season.
Careful water level management at Frampton Marsh is essential for creating the right conditions for breeding wading birds. The reedbed reservoir has a target maximum level of 200cm, measured on a gauge board. In late winter, when water availability is typically at its highest, the reservoir is normally filled as close to this level as possible so that water can be retained and distributed to surrounding wetland habitats during the drier spring months.
This winter, a pump failure meant reservoir levels had only reached 105cm by mid February, well below the desired level. To help address the issue, Black Sluice IDB provided a mobile pump to transfer water from the Wyberton Drain under licence. To comply with eel regulations, the Environment Agency also loaned an eel screen for the mobile pump for the duration of the work. With this additional support in place, reservoir levels were increased to 140cm by early April.
The increased capacity made a significant difference, enabling the reservoir to be replenished more efficiently and allowing early season top ups of wetland areas already showing signs of low water levels due to dry conditions.
The work will help ensure Frampton Marsh continues to provide high quality habitat for breeding wading birds, including avocet, little ringed plover, lapwing and redshank. Without the larger mobile pump, achieving this level of water management within the six-week window would not have been possible.
Partners say this kind of joint working is crucial for supporting the area’s wildlife and maintaining the resilience of wetland environments across the region.
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